Argh I've got nothing to wear

[Apartridgeamongstthepidgeons]

Well obviously I do have some clothes and don't walk about naked

Got an event today that requires a kind of smartish outfit and looking through my wardrobe I just can't seem to put anything together, I've pulled a few things out slung them on my bed and stropped off in a huff!

I mostly live in casual jumpers/tops with jeans and converse then have going out dresses I've bought for weddings and the like, I seem to have nothing in-between!

I'm going out just after midday so no time to nip to the shops so I'm resigned to wearing what I would class as a daytime dress but with going out out shoes.

It's made me think I need to invest in a couple of smartish outfits/shoes but I just don't have a clue anymore what will suit me. I'm 38, slim build and 5ft1. Don't have a lot of money so would have to be high street shops, any idea's??

Dorothy Perkins make some very nice dresses. I found some nice smart dresses that wash well in Store 21 and Peacock's. You don't need to spend a lot of money unless you want to invest in some key pieces. My local Outfit also stocks some nice Wallis, Dorothy Perkins and a few other high street brands and often have sales.

Thank you for the reply, I have an Outfit near me I will have to go and have a look. I think the trouble is that I just don't know what suits me anymore and worry if certain things look too young/old.

I have another event next weekend which requires a smartish outfit, I think I am going to ask a friend to come shopping with me. It's typical I haven't been out in months n months and then two occasions have come up within a week of each other!

It sounds as if what you need is one or two well cut but not too office-y jackets. They would dress down your "occasion" frocks and dress up your jeans. If you had one in flannel/ jersey and then another black leather (simple and smart not heavily ribbed and zipped) they might go with everything you have.

(These are quite generalised suggestions obviously. For myself I'd probably buy the jackets in tweed and velvet.)

Also could any of your jumpers go under or over a smart dress? If you add a seasonal scarf that's another whole outfit - neither too dressy nor too sloppy.

Gruach you sound really clued up I could do with somebody like you in my life, you don't by any chance live in the midlands do you?

I could do with a nice fitting blazer, I have a navy one that I've had a while but it's more of a boxy fit and just doesn't suit me, I think a more tailored one would look better.

I saw Davina McCall on a program last night and she had a nice fitting cream blouse tucked into a pair of skinnies and some heals and I thought that looked quite nice.

Hmm ... The skinny jeans now - I know everyone on MN loves them - but to me they scream "safe", unimaginative, not particularly interested in clothes, just want to wear what all my friends wear ... Ms McCall is a lovely looking woman so I'm sure she looked perfectly nice - but it does sound a bit dated. And conciliatory, if that's the right word.

Which shops/ websites do you frequent?

Well I'm a big fan of skinny jeans, and think that a decent black pair is a really useful thing to have in one's wardrobe. I wear mine with Converse or trainers and a t-shirt for schlepping, dress them up with ankle boots and a biker jacket for the pub, or dress them up more with a silk shirt and heels.

It sounds as if a couple of jersey dresses, especially if you can find them with sleeves (like gold dust!) would serve you well though, or maybe a cotton shirt dress.

I find boots much easier to wear than shoes, and they can look smart enough for most events.

Thanks Gruach but I am safe and unimaginative when it comes to clothes and prefer to blend in. On the odd occasion when I have been brave and bought something out of my comfort zone I have felt uncomfortable not worn it again.

When it comes to jeans I find that skinny jeans/straight leg suit me better (I think!) , I did buy a pair of boyfriend ones but they just made me look dumpy as I'm a short arse. I do love your Idea of a tweed jacket though, it is definitely something I will put on the list to look for.

Thanks for the reply Remus, I do like jersey dresses and now that we are heading into autumn they are a good idea with tights and boots. I do have a couple of pairs of nice boots, however yesterday it decided it was summer again for the day and the boots just wouldn't have looked right with the dress I finally settled on.

I think from your suggestions I need a blazer, a couple of blouse/smartish tops, a couple of nice scarves and I think I could do with a pair of mid height heals, as at the moment aside from the boots, I either have converse/trainers or sky high platform type heels of which are probably quite dated now.

As for where do I shop.... well in the last two years I have just tended to use M & M direct and Get the label for my casual stuff, I get my jeans from Gap. I haven't bought anything I class as smartish as due to personal circumstances I shut myself off from the world a bit and declined invites out. I am getting more back to myself now and finally getting back out there, but my confidence isn't at it's best. I always used to be told I look young for my age but due to the stuff that happened I aged a lot and went practically grey overnight! Thank god for hair dye!!!! So that's why I overthink the whole will this top look too young for me, don't want to look like mutton etc.. Sorry this is turning into a bit of a pity post now.

I appreciate the replies and great suggestions

Tights/leggings with dresses/tunics with boots are very good and very practical (mum to a toddler here). Jackets are an excellent idea- I got one from Miss Selfridge (in Outfit) of all places to go with an outfit I am wearing to an exam.

So sorry to hear about your stresses but am glad to hear you feel like you are getting back on track.

Oh, I wear Eden jeggings from DP- they go with everything-they are not formal, but could work with a long top/jumper/cardigan/blouse. Skinny jeans don't really work for me but the jeggings did. Plus they wash well.

Try things on and enjoy!

Here's something vaguely tweedy.

They also have a rather fabulous leather blazer ...

I'm not sure Cos would be quite your sort of thing but they have a rather nice cinched waist navy wool blazer at the moment.

Have you looked at & Other Stories? Large range of generally simple, easy clothes and great, good value shoes.

All of these have straightforward websites.

I'm having the same strop problem as you OP. I recently bought this blazer which is more grey than the pic shows, and it's my concession to tweed for the winter. I'm also investing in these culottes which I hope will work with converse, ballet flats and heels as the occasion arises.

I'm the same age and size as you OP.
I recently bought a denim shirt dress from Next petite. I've been wearing it dressed down with converse but wore it for a lunch out with some animal print shoes with a small block heel. In winter I plan to wear with tights, boots and maybe a black polo neck underneath. So versatile I think.
I've also bought some black feint spot print cigarette trousers from Next petite. They work instead of skinny jeans to create a slightly smarter look.
Finally I picked up a collarless, cropped style tweed jacket in H&M. Great fit on petites. Smartens up skinnys a little.